Court pays tribute to Olson
Outgoing solicitor general retires next month
From Bill Mears
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday paid tribute to the government service of Solicitor General Theodore Olson, who retires next month. (Olson announcement)
Olson works for the Justice Department, and is the government's chief advocate before the Court.
In remarks from the bench on the last day of the Court's term before its three-month summer recess, Chief Justice William Rehnquist had kind words for Olson.
"The Court recognizes the significant responsibilities that were placed on him to represent the government of the United States before this Court and to perform other important functions during difficult times," an indirect reference to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Olson's wife Barbara was among those killed when the airliner she was on was crashed into the Pentagon by hijackers.
"On behalf of my colleagues," said Rehnquist, "I thank you for a job well done. You have our sincere appreciation and best wishes for the future."
Olson personally argued several big cases this term, including one on campaign finance reform, and another on the rights of detainees held by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He has been serving in the post since June 2001.
No replacement for Olson has been named.
